Brad Farmer: Leaving Plenty in Reserve
"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds" - Albert Einstein
I recently had a conversation with Brad Farmer - surfing's leading environmentalist and activist - and, during the course of the discussion, he recited the above quote. It came in reply to a question I asked him about negative responses to his latest project, National Surfing Reserves.
Although the quote wasn't targeted at myself it did have a personal sting. Because, you see, whether it be playing devil's advocate or taking the contrary line I've always found myself going up against the popular vote. Even when the popular vote is sound and ethical I'll always flirt with the other point of view.
I wrestle with my conscience, do somersaults, and flip between positions without being bound to any. It's an ideal position for inactivity.
Brad Farmer has also considered some of the big issues, especially those confronting surfing and the environment. Yet rather than muse on the philosophical ramifications, unable to shake the curse of moral relativism, Farmer has found solid ground to base his beliefs. From this sure-footed position comes his worldview, and from that worldview the many projects he has poured endless reserves of energy into: Greenpeace, Surfrider Foundation Australia, National Surfing Reserves and, as of last month, World Surfing Reserves.
He is a character of conviction and thoughtful action. A great spirit. In a wide-ranging conversation we spoke about environmental action, surfing apathy, the place of politics and the benefits of meditation...
Swellnet: Do you think Australian surfers take their environment for granted? Brad Farmer: Yep.
Why? Australia is surfer utopia. 10,685 beaches to choose from - 95% of which are clean, accessible and managed - more than 1200 are wave-lashed. Surfers take beaches for granted. They have this trust - often in others, including governments - to protect and preserve them. It is surfers who are the honoured custodians of the coast...
Surfrider Australia had some early success organising protest marches in the early to mid-90's, yet membership has since wained: why hasn't Surfrider Australia achieved the same influence and reach as it has in the US? Well, during the three critical years of building the foundation of Surfrider's architecture, we grew it - working year round and voluntarily to service all 58 branches. The Surfrider Australia team developed broad community momentum and threw sharp focus on what seemed like insurmountable issues roaring across Australia. There were a handful of campaigns in every state. We won some and lost many. It was a great time to be at the coalface with an empowered national crew.
What is essential to the long term success of any coastal activism is dedication and smart campaigns. So we did manage, in a relatively short period of time, to galvanise surfing communities and create behavioural change and expectations among coastal users. That was led largely by ordinary surfers who were totally fed up with the indifference of governments toward we ocean-dwelling cultures. There were too many farmers in federal government then.
Typically USA-ian, Surfrider there drives and thrives itself with tighter organisational discipline. Almost twenty years on, Surfrider Foundation Australia still struggles to motivate and discipline within. And that translates into apathy with its rank and file...us.
A little imagineering wouldn't go astray right now to regain its credibility. Surfrider in Australia still has a good pulse - and that in itself is gold when we've seen many advocacy groups fade away under pressure. Surfrider's strength and visibility will ebb and flow, but it must embrace organisational discipline internally to sustain itself to survive beyond 2011 and get powerfully repositioned as the peak coastal and surfers' coalition.
Should surfers be more involved in the political process? Totally. At least some key ones with articulate voices across special issues. Now, when it's all said and done...a lot is said and not much done. I've canvassed this conumdrum with some thinkers from MR to Slater, through to groms and Peter Garrett. When it comes to the crunch, and the thought of really being part of a participatory democracy, surfers would rather go surf.
Look, we all endorsed Peter ‘the statement maker' Garrett to go to Canberra after 25 year loyal support of his surf-politico brand. You need to look no further than Garrett for the evidence that politics does bad things to good people. Peter was a good mate to us in times past and a hero to many dedicated surfers. But when was the last time you heard a surfer - famous or fading - make a political statement? Kelly Slater for example is prepared to speak his mind publicly, as should other name surfers.
While the silence might be deafening today, that'll change when the coast is threatened - be it a massive oil spill off Margaret River, or a developer's carve-up of the Surf Coast, or a full-on resource invasion by Chinese interests. Recently you lobbied to have a new government portfolio created - the Ministry of Coasts: would that not create another layer of bureaucracy?
You've got to put ideas forward to engage decision makers and elevate the importance of beaches - not just a natural resource, but the most valued asset we Australians enjoy. We have Minsters for Mines, Ministers for Land and Agriculture, Ministers for Climate Change and so on - all of whom have policies, budgets, clear objectives and mandates.
Australia lacks this for its coasts and beaches which are the world's finest and one of the greatest generators of income and pleasure. This notion of a Coastal Ministry was born with Professor Andy Short over a weekend at his coastal farm in the lead up to the federal election.
Coastcare, Ocean Care Day, Caring for Country just don't cut it anymore. Surfers - and that new definition should read ‘anyone who engages in the coastal zone for recreation'- require a dedicated federal portfolio. The benefits are extensive. In short: a paradigm shift to ensure the future of our coast is chartered by beachgoers - not beach bummed bureaucrats and quasi-political factions.
The proposal for a specific Ministry extends to the pressing global and environmental challenges we will need to measure up to in the future. It's all about being policy-forward-thinking. It can work. The Prime Minister will be asked to establish it in 2011-12. I'm confident it will be given a fair hearing by Prime Minister Gillard. MR and Bugs, for example, should be invited by the PM to sit on a Federal Parliamentary Standing Committee for Coasts. Sydney's Royal National Park was created long before wider society valued undeveloped land. In hindsight it's establishment was visionary: do you think National Surfing Reserves may be looked back upon in the same way? People are recognising that this way of protecting national surfing icons is an idea whose time has come. The most essential human value is nature. To preserve this - or attempt to in a world of consumption at the expense of natural resources - is worth every moment and dollar I invest.
As humanity comes to terms its own nature-destroying fate, nothing short of a civilization-wide reboot will do. Creating reserves and proactive lobbying for innovative thinking is one small but integral part of the whole solution. It's a message that we are living in a mesmeric, all-consuming, five planet lifestyle.
What is your vision for National Surfing Reserves? The vision is unfolding in what has been described as a runaway success as we see countries like Hawaii, USA, Europe, South Africa and Indonesia replicating the NSR Australian model. Drew Kampion, one of the surfing world's great thinkers, sees NSR's as ‘opportunity zones'.
NSR has now become World Surfing Reserves (WSR) following an alliance struck with Save the Waves and ISO in California in 2008. 150 sites internationally have been identified as WSR sites for dedication by over 30 national surfing governing bodies. That roll-out will take at least 20 plus years and so we need fresh recruits.
Waves have 'universal value' and so we now have UNESCO in Paris expressing keen interest in forming partnerships with NSR and WSR. That's encouraging. The historic thing is with NSR, it's the first time ‘surfers & surfing' has ever been recognised by any government legislation worldwide. And it began here in Australia.
About ten years back you penned a few articles for Tracks on the benefits of vipassana meditation, is it something you still practice? Yoga and Buddhism seems to be a path which resonates for many surfers and for me. Waves are the ocean breathing. So the synergies, while subtle, dovetail into the surfing mindscape.
Vipassana, or insight, along with many amazing practices, leads to a life of less suffering, attachment and delusion. For my own part, I've never owned anything like a property or tangible assets. Nor have I attached myself to marriage, so it frees my spirit to serve.
The ‘greatness of nothingness' is my motto. Although we inhale and exhale 21,000 times every day, we don't give it second thought. Try silence and breathe awareness for a day, 10 days, or as I did once, a year. The results speak silently for themselves. How have your spiritual beliefs manifested themselves in your politics? Are they even compatible with the political life? There are many ways to the mountain top...or to seek the perfect wave. Scratch under the surface of any politician and there's a primal motivation of some bent. A spiritual relationship with nature and man has always been a sublime presence in my political and private life. Almost every person I've met can be connected with - even in parliaments, if nature is the commonality.
In the political realm you've worked as an activist, advocate and advisor: have you ever considered contesting a seat in government ? Not any more. The influence lies as an advocate working with the political realms. Being on the inside is not all that it's cracked to be. It's corrupting. The power will always lie with the people as it has throughout history. I sat in Senate offices for a couple of years, worked with Greenpeace in Russia and spun the rounds of politics since 1974 to find that simple truth out. You're a fellow who likes a project: what next's for Brad Farmer? A World Council of Surfing Elders. The surfing Elders want it, so let's see what's possible. Like Aboriginals, we need elders as inspirers of the next dream. I'd like to create a conversation between the respected elders and the surf share traders with branded Buddha logos. I'd aim to consolidate the world surfing community as one.
Find out more about National Surfing Reserves and World Surfing Reserves here
- 1) With Kelly Slater at Bondi Beach March 2010 as the world champion gave his endorsement to World Surfing Reserves.
- 2)With Nat Young from the back cover of 'Nat Young's Australian Surfing Guide', a book he co-wrote. Photo Dave Kelly.
- 3) This photo by Lee Pegus (and given an added spark by Graham Murdoch) accompanied a story in Australia's Surfing Life, December 1993.
Comments
is it just me or does this guy seem a bit self-righteous? well intended but preachy.
If you are asking the question then I would say no. And that would be an overwhelming and resounding no.
I worked with Brad for a few years in the early 90's during the Surfrider campaigns he mentioned and, in my time, I've never met someone so selfless. He always defers to the project he is working on, whether it be a Surfrider campaign back then or the Surfing Reserves now.
Because of the relationship we had then Ive followed his career with interes yet this is the most I've learnt about him. Good on Swellnet for giving a good guy a run.
Playing devils advocate may be fun, but negative responses to National Surfing Reserves? It'd take an imaginative mind to find one bad thing about protecting our surfspots. In some cases (N Narra) the reserve might be more symbolic than legally tangible but I wouldn't underestimate that as a viable starting point.
Brad I admire the way in which you've directed your energy and knowledge towards such a special project. So much time, money, physical, emotional and spiritual energy is chewed up by ventures that are far less important. Well done and good luck with spreading the reach of your reserves.
I went to a Surfrider AGM at Bondi in 1996, at which Brad Farmer orchestrated a whole pile of "grass-roots" reviews and then proposed a few "big picture" directional changes. When the meeting (that is the active particapants)didn't go with his views he became agressive, rude and totally dismissive towards all of the people there, stating he "didn't need your support anyway, all I have to do is get the support of the key shareholders". I investigated that and found the SurfRider Foundations constitution was stacked in favour of the major surf brands? My conclusion was Brad was using the SF vehicle for person gain.
What a great bloke and a person to have with you in the field of advocacy. I have worked with Brad in recent times and the effort he puts into the cause is of an olympic standard.
Unfortunately with our surfing reserves we failed (at this point) due to government apathy, short sightedness and plain old greed.
Surfing reserves have been created by a visionary and if you love the ocean and use it to surf in particular you should back this to the hilt.
Good on ya Brad
I went to a SF National Conference at Bondi in 96. The thing I remember most about the sessions focusing on policy/campaign development was a proposal from a thoughtful Elder Statesman that SF advocate limits on population growth and immigration. Half the people there were cold water refugees who either didn't get it or didn't want to shut the door on their friends and relatives so the proposal didn't get up. I guess all the Australian born surfers that love the environment were too busy surfing to join up and go along to the conference.
No doubt Brad has some personal agenda....you've got to get your motivation to persist from somewhere.
Notwithstanding the absence of a legislative basis as noted above, Surfing Reserves have got up in NSW. Perhaps it has something to do with the surfers working in the Lands Department, the absence of a need for lots of time consuming legal and parliamentary paperwork and up coming elections.
Surfing Reserves are not the only option and may not be the best option at some places.
Angourie could have easily been added to Yuraygir NP and Crescent Head to Goolawah achieving a higher level of protection with a clear legislative basis. Seems as though the NSW Lands Department are keen to hang on to any crown land with possible commercial value.
We're lucky Brad's still got the energy for politics. It's interesting that Stu didn't ask him about the last time he went for a surf though.
3 kinds of people in the world : creators, preservers and destroyers.. we badly need more of first and much less of the last. This guy at least gets off his butt for the greater good. Alot better than sitting on it and throwing cyber pebbles I reckon. All strength to Farmers' arms and to the Surfrider Foundation in Australia which he created from nothing. Nothing from nothing leaves nothing and if you're not part of the solution, then your part of the problem. I hope Kelly.. and Mick, Taj and the crew start to make waves to save our surf too.
Love him or hate him, and there are plenty on both sides of that fence, Brad Farmer is an ideas man. I've had dealings with him in three different countries and experienced both emotions at various times - he's certainly a character. Regardless on your views about him personally, if you think he's more swagger than substance, or if you think his motivations are self serving rather than socially driven, history will remember actions. Brad's contribution to developing civil society movements within the surfing fraternity (and many have poo pooed the idea of a surfer organization as an oxymoron) is really quite amazing.
From taking Glenn Henning's Surfrider model from California across the pond and making it work in a cynical Oz environment (and perhaps his management style came across as autocratic - 58 chapters is still a breathtaking accomplishment), to breathing life into the National Surfing Reserves movement 6 years ago by bringing together the right people in the same room (Peter Garrett's office), and then coming full circle to take an Aussie idea (Brad's idea) and planting the seed back in California with the World Surfing Reserves movement. That's some heady stuff.
I was at the declaration of Malibu as the first World Surfing Reserve a few weeks ago. Before the Chumash indian tribe gave their day break ceremonial blessing to the WSR, before a first light paddle out with legends like Mickey Munoz and PT - hell even Gidget showed up later in the day. Before all of this in the early hours of the morning, an ankle high slick of dead urchins, killed by the polluted waters, washed up on the beach with the rising tide as if to remind everyone why we need surfing reserves. As a symbolic point of leverage from which to begin a conversation about the value of these sites to the largest and most dedicated group of users of coastal environment bar none. To put it beyond question that our interests matter and that our natural resources have stewards who care deeply enough to organize themselves and have our sacred sites recognized. Symbolism is incredibly powerful. Yes it would be great if Angourie as a part of the National Park system - being a surfing reserve won't prevent that from happening, it might even add weight to any grassroots initiative to lobby for that outcome. But where is the movement to make it happen? Surfing reserves are an amazing first step in recognizing the value of our common surfing resources and pointing out to the non-surfing world that there are a bunch of passionate folks who will protect these areas.
As for Brad, ultimately it doesn't matter what you think of the man, his body of work speaks for itself even if he rubbed people the wrong way in getting it done. When was the last time he went for a surf? If not since then, I can vouch for Malibu and then Mission Beach in Southern California a couple of weeks ago.
I have worked with brad before & unfortunately almost everything he does is purely for personal gain. It took me a long time to see this as I was sucked into his charisma & "do anything for you" Aura he projects.
I can't help but smile when he promotes saving the beaches, but then worked for years for an eastern suburbs developer who had loads of beachside property.
I think he ultimately means well & he will get things done, he is good if not great at waht he does, so it's not a bad thing I guess. I just have a problem with people projecting false images of themselves, but I guess that is what marketing is all about
Just to challenge you "the-realist" (gotta be cynical with a name like that I guess) but sometimes as the song says you have to look on the bright side of life, I’m sure you have done something in your life your not particularly proud of to earn a little cash to get through a hard time, everyone has to make a living and make money to survive in this ever morally diminishing society we live in. When you say he does it for "personal gain" promoting beach awareness to the otherwise unaware general society gets results and starts people thinking, this does benefit him but also our current and future generations.
I say "let he without sin cast the first stone" otherwise how about giving the guy a pat on the back for all the GOOD he has done.
That's the way mate, show them what its all about.
I have to I speak for myself I am more of an anarchist (as in the true meaning of anarchy which is peaceful).
Its very idealistic and I think a lot of surfers would agree that the feeling you get when your out in the water leaves no room for governance, as surfing itself has no policing or actual rules but more curtsies.
If more people surfed and chilled the F out then maybe society wouldn't rely on being told what to do by a bunch of professional liars maybe surfing is the key to world peace...
Surfing is clearly the key world peace!
Pardon my ignorance but to this day is see no real relevance of a surfing reserve other than a sign at the beach that elludes people to the fact that people surf here. Does or has it translated to people taking more of an interest in cleaning up the area. Has it translated into better behaviour in the water at what is usually a highly popular/ crowded break. Has it opened up areas that were once closed off to the surfing ethos of being able to find cheap accomodation options or camping within a stonesthrow of the area.
Me thinks not, and certainly Angourie is a clear case in point that other than a sign at the carpark and an increase in crowd numbers that nothing has really changed in the area. It was always a popular spot because its clean and has good waves.
A surfing reserve is a great term but what does it mean in real terms. It doesnt take away the ocean outfalls, the rubbish of the beach, the agro out of the water from anywhere on the coast that actualy needs that assistance. All it seems to do is highlight already existing areas that are already overpopulated on any given day.
I think resources and time could be better spent. Is there a list of proposed surfing reserves available for viewing/ comment? Itd be interesting to see how many of those areas actually require something done and indeed if a surfing reserve as its called would actually rectify anything.
my 2c
" I see no real relevance of a surfing reserve"
Guess thats the difference between a visionary and you mate. As in the article, no-one saw the relevance of national parks when they were invented, yet these days we treasure them.
"I think resources and time could be better spent..."
Whose resources? Whose time? Yours...? Well, what have you done? How much have you pitched in? As far as I can see the architects of NSR's do it all off their own backs.
FWIW I haven't done anything either but I'm very thankful that there are people out there doing these things. It doesn't cost and I happen to think that one day we'll look back on them and thank the people who created them. All it takes is a bit of forward thinking...
Atticus,
Thanks for your views and i guess thats the benefit of an open forum, we all have the right to one.
What you didnt do is answer the questions raised as the actual benefits of the SR.
As for resources and time. 2 things. One i wouldnt waste mine because i see no benefit as i stated and until such time i see the benefit then i will continue not to contribute. You see the benefits or at least claim to yet youve still done nothing, is that cause your time or resources are more valuable and better spent on other things.
As for whos resources and time, correct me if im wrong but pretty sure to get one of these things up and running requires resources from private, state and national level and money from the aforementioned places also. If you think it doesnt cost then im not sure if you read the article at all. yeah the architects do the thinking and a proposal but who do you think approves it and makes it happen after that. Be interesting to know what portion of funding is taxpayer funded.
We all want a coastline that is in synch with the environment, and yes we all treasure our natural resources, no one is debating that but really the concept of a surfing reserve to my knowledge serves no purpose other than warm fuzzies to those involved in creating it. Its not a national park that can never be developed, its not a world heritage are, its just kinda... a label.
I hope they do serve a viable purpose but as yet cant see what it is even with rose coloured glasses.
Surfing Reserves ‘irrelevant’? How laughable! That must mean that thousands right across the world have been misled by that ‘charismatic’ Brad Farmer; the surfers, the communities, the mags, the governments and Ministers, Rabbit, Kelly, MR, Professor Short etc. How ludicrous to suggest such a thing and to deliberately go about white anting it on here with baseless negativity. The NSR website seems to answer many questions about NSR being voluntary and not for profit, the work they do and the future plans. On asking more, it turns out that far from being tax-payer funded as someone suggested, NSR to date, has not received any monies from government, with exception for a small amount for assistance with their website. Infact, the five member NSR committee has contributed far more from their own pockets than any contributions from government or tax payer funded sources whatsoever. Most of the local groups (Local Steering Committees LSC) raised funds from the community, and if there is a shortfall it is picked up from the purse of individuals, including the NSR chairman. Moreover, the NSR committee have expended many thousands of dollars of their own so there is no compromise with government or corporations. While other surfing and environment groups have high profiles and high wages, NSR is nonprofit and goes about its objectives quietly.
Brad Farmer, far from being self interested, has not done an interview for almost 20 years and has not taken any monies or fringe benefits for his 35 years in volunteering for the coast. He has not benefitted through personal gain, quite the opposite, he’s endured severe personal and financial hardships to fund and complete many campaigns and programs over those years. In the 6 years of NSR, Farmer has spent over $200,000 in time and actual expenses towards NSR. He’s not rich, far from it - he just earns a wage like everyone else and puts it towards things like NSR. But finding that out is as simple as a phone call or a browse on the web. Farmer does have big ideas and does work with grass roots and not everyone will understand his methods to achieve (and he has) long term objectives to protect coastlines. It is an amazing planet and we are blessed with nature’s gifts on the surfing coast. For those 2 or maybe even 3 anonymous, mediocre minded cynics with seemingly nothing better to do than concoct rubbish on the web, why not go outside and live your life so that your children can tell their children that you not only stood for something wonderful – you acted on it. Target your criticism at lazy, highly paid Ministers for the Environment or wealthy war mongers or ignorant planet destroyers…. there’s plenty of fodder for you across the realm of humanity.
Surfing Reserves and the Surfrider Foundation are the surfers’ voice. We need to continue to encourage coastal communities to give freely of their time to help others and the planet and to be there when it matters. Thanks Swellnet for the great article.
Right on Waverider.
At the moment the value of a Surf Reserve is largely symbolic but that symbol is a powerful seed for future action.
The Local Surf Reserve Steering Comittee here at Lennox is composed of lifelong surfers who are putting something back into the Area and surf spots which have given so much to them and others.
I salute them.